Today we started up the Caledonian Canal. Our sail started with a climb up Neptune’s Staircase, a series of eight locks that raises the canal by 19 meters. Then it was onward into the Great Glen, a fault line that began forming 430-390 million years ago. The Great Glen provides the route for the Caledonian Canal that we will follow until our final destination in Inverness.
Our journey took us through freshwater lochs, including Loch Lochy and Loch Oich, then through the tree-lined narrow stretch of Laggan Avenue. Outside of the occasional shower, weather permitted viewing of the lush Scottish scenery from the deck. After an afternoon presentation on the Caledonian Forest, many of us took the opportunity to walk the canal bank for the last couple of miles into Fort Augustus, our berth for the night. Stories of Scotland ended the day with an informative talk by Captain Tony on the history of the Caledonian Canal and a presentation on the Scottish kilt and plaid.
